The moniker "First Wookiee Expeditionary Force" was created by Shoran to refer to a Wookiee combat team assembled in 16 ABY. Their purpose was to liberate Han Solo from captivity by the Duskhan League.
During that year, Chewbacca, a Wookiee, journeyed to Kashyyyk, his homeworld, to guide his son, Lumpawarrump, through the traditional Hrrtayyk ceremony marking his coming-of-age. Upon discovering that Solo, a Human to whom he had pledged a life debt long ago, had been abducted, he immediately stopped the ceremony. He readied Solo's starship, the Millennium Falcon, for departure from the planet. Although Chewbacca intended to embark alone, his cousins Jowdrrl, Dryanta, and Shoran insisted on joining him. They argued that the life debt was a family responsibility and that the mission was too perilous to undertake alone. Lumpawarrump, eager to conclude his hrrtayyk alongside his father, joined the team just before they left.
The team's initial destination was Esau's Ridge on [Tholatin], where they acquired crucial intelligence about the Duskhan League and the Koornacht Cluster they inhabited. This information was secretly supplied by Alpha Blue, a covert agency within New Republic Intelligence. Subsequently, they traveled directly to the Koornacht Cluster and successfully rescued Solo, aided by Enara, a Fallanassi adept. Shoran was killed, and Lumpawarrump finished his Hrrtayyk. They then transported Solo and Shoran's body to the Intrepid, a vessel belonging to the New Republic Fifth Battle Group. Solo was placed in a bacta tank, while Shoran's remains were taken to a morgue.